Lyn Bailey – Life by Design

Author: Lyn Bailey

  • 6 Ways To Improve Your Concentration

    6 Ways To Improve Your Concentration

    Exercises To Improve Your Concentration

    There are many benefits to having strong concentration skills. When you can get your brain to focus on the task at hand, you can get more done in less time. You’re also less likely to make mistakes. And you’re able to retain information better. Sadly, it can be very difficult to concentrate in this age of technology and 24/7 information. Thankfully, there are many different exercises you can do to improve your concentration.

    Write it down

    Knowing exactly what you’re supposed to do makes it easier to get into a state of flow faster. You can’t get into that state if you’re trying to figure out where everything is and how to do it. Write down directions for the task, including what materials or tools you need and the order of operations to help your mind get focused.

    Meditate

    Some people find that they can improve their concentration by practicing meditation. Try meditating, even at your desk, for just a minute or two between tasks. Giving your brain time to switch to the next task improves focus.

    Try a puzzle or brain teaser

    Others find that they can improve their concentration by doing things like puzzles or brain teasers. Of course, for some, this can lead you down the rabbit hole of gaming instead of doing the tasks you want, so make sure you set a timer for just a couple of minutes so you can get to your work.

    Stop multitasking

    Try to focus on one thing at a time. It may feel weird at first, especially if you’re used to multi-tasking – when you’re used to a lot of noise, the silence feels deafening. But it’s important to try and focus on one task until it’s done before moving on to the next task, primarily because humans aren’t designed for multitasking. Therefore, you’re not actually multitasking. Instead, you’re just switching tasks which can cause you to take longer and make more mistakes.

    Take a short walk

    Instead of trying to switch right to a new task when you finish another, go on a short walk. You don’t even need to walk a full five minutes to work. Get up, get some water or go look out the window. If you can’t leave your desk, just stand up, stretch, and take a few deep breaths before switching tasks.

    Do the task for just two minutes

    Another excellent exercise for improving concentration is to set a timer and see how long you can go without getting distracted. For example, start with a goal of 2 minutes and see how long you can last. Once you can consistently hit your 2-minute goal, try increasing it to 3 minutes, and so on.

    You can do many other things on a regular basis to improve your concentration, like exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and staying hydrated. Limiting distractions before you start the task will also help you focus. Of course, it won’t happen overnight, but with practice, and a good timer, you can learn to concentrate better.

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  • Ways Overscheduling Negatively Impacts Kids

    Ways Overscheduling Negatively Impacts Kids

    Some of your natural tendency to want to overschedule your kids most likely comes from the training you had as a kid. You may have been told about the dangers of idleness being the “devil’s workshop” or something of the like.

    It’s understandable.

    As a conscientious parent, you just want to make sure you’re stimulating your child’s mind, keeping them busy, and ensuring their future. After all, that’s what you were taught and what society pushes. But, unfortunately, because of this, you might be like most parents and accidentally or on purpose, overschedule your kids.
    With all the after-school activities, playdates, and sleepovers, it’s easy to overfill your child’s calendar. But you may not realize that all this over-scheduling negatively impacts your kids, which is what you don’t want.

    Here are a few ways that overscheduling can negatively impact kids:

    They get burned out too.

    When kids are too busy, even if it’s fun things, they will eventually get tired and burned out. When this happens, they may start to resent all the activities they’re involved in and may even start to rebel.

    They also get stress and anxiety.

    Constantly being on the go can be stressful for kids. They may feel they can’t keep up or are always behind – leading to anxiety. The reason is that stress releases the hormone cortisol, creating a storm inside the body that worsens and worsens if not controlled.

    They need more family time.

    Family time can be challenging if your kids are always busy with activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Instead, your children need family time, such as dinners together and doing fun things at least a couple of times a week to feel centered in their family.

    They may miss out on important milestones.

    If your kids are always busy, they may miss important milestones like learning to ride a bike or going to their first school dance. However, their future getting into a good college is not more important than now. All those milestones are also vital for your children to feel happy right now today.

    It may negatively impact their grades.

    Their grades may suffer if they constantly juggle school and extracurricular activities. This is because they may not have enough time to complete their homework or study for tests. In addition, most kids don’t have time to read for school, much less time to read for fun, and both types of reading lead to higher grades and a better understanding of the world.

    If you’re concerned that you may be overscheduling your kids, take a step back and reevaluate their schedule. Work with your children to make a list of priorities in their life so you can help them choose activities wisely. Then, ensure they’re only involved in activities that they enjoy and have enough downtime to relax and recharge. If you still decide to over-schedule your child, be sure to monitor them closely and ensure they can still handle the additional activities and responsibilities.

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  • Can You Really Be Too Busy?

    Can You Really Be Too Busy?

    Can You Really Be Too Busy?

    You know what it’s like to be too busy. You’ve all been there: juggling a million things, running around like a chicken witch its head cut off, and feeling like you’re about to drop from exhaustion. However, you may not realize that being too busy is extremely counterproductive.

    It makes you less productive, less effective, and more likely to make mistakes because you’re unable to pay close attention to the job you’re doing. In addition, studies have shown that when you’re under a lot of pressure, your brain doesn’t work as well. That may manifest as trouble focusing and remembering things and show up as careless errors.

    And what’s even worse is that the more stressed you are, the harder it is to switch gears and relax. So even if you do have a few free minutes, you’re not able to fully enjoy them or use them effectively.

    A few more problems with being too busy are:

    • You may miss important deadlines.
    • You may forget to do essential things.
    • You may neglect your health.
    • You may neglect your relationships.
    • You may become stressed and anxious.

    Being too busy is honestly one problem after another. You may even be too busy to notice how ineffective you are in almost every area of your life. Plus, of course, the amount of joy you can feel when you’re overworked and too busy is greatly lessened than if you try to schedule and organize your life in a way that creates a balance with all areas of your life.

    So, what can you do about it?

    • Recognize that being too busy is a problem. It’s not something to be proud of or boast about. It’s something to be avoided.
    • List your priorities and stick to them. If you know your needs versus wants, you can schedule them first.
    • Simplify your lifestyle and routine. Focus on your goals and what is most important to you. Identify what brings you joy and what you can live without. Let go of what doesn’t serve you and make room for what does.
    • Organize your time and space. By decluttering your life physically and emotionally, you can make space for what truly matters.
    • Learn to say no. You really can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t try. When you’re already stretched thin, the last thing you need is to take on even more.
    • Make time for Yourself. You need to schedule some downtime every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You must turn off phones, log off from work, and focus on relaxing and recharging. Set boundaries and practice enough self-care.
    • Get enough sleep. Plan to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. Sleep is a crucial part of health and well-being, but it’s often the first thing to go when you’re busy. Ensure you’re getting enough rest so we can be at your best.
    • Ask for help and delegate. You can’t do it all alone, and when you finally admit that you’ll suddenly become much more productive. Asking for help shows strength, not weakness.

    If you learn to manage your time better and avoid being too busy, you’ll be more productive, effective, and happier.

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  • Is Overscheduling Harmful to Your Health?

    Is Overscheduling Harmful to Your Health?

    Is Overscheduling Harmful to Your Health?

    When you overschedule yourself, you are harming not only your health but also your productivity. Overscheduling means that you are trying to pack too much into your day, resulting in you feeling overwhelmed and stressed– leading to health problems, including anxiety, depression, and even physical illness.

    Here are just a few ways that overscheduling can harm your health:

    It leads to burnout

    If you’re constantly on the go, it’s only a matter of time before you start to feel burned out. When you’re overscheduled continuously, you never have time to rest and recharge, which can lead to serious health problems down the road.

    It increases your stress levels

    If you’re always running around trying to juggle everything, it’s no surprise that your stress levels will go through the roof. But unfortunately, high-stress levels directly cost a whole host of mental and physical health problems due to the high cortisone levels you release in your bloodstream.

    It disrupts your sleep

    When you’re overscheduled, it’s hard to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Unfortunately, this can lead to many health problems, including fatigue, irritability, and depression.

    It makes you sick

    It will affect your immune system if you’re always on the move and don’t get enough rest. Unfortunately, this means you’re more likely to get sick, and when you do, it’s likely to be more severe than it would otherwise be.

    It ruins your relationships

    When you’re always running around, it’s tough to find time for the people who are important to you. Plus, you may not be that fun to be around. Over-scheduling can put a strain on even the strongest of relationships.

    If you’re starting to feel like you’re overscheduled because you notice the signs of the harm your current schedule is causing in your life, it’s essential to take a step back and reassess your priorities. Of course, your health should always be at the top of your list, so remember to put your needs first.

    To avoid overscheduling is to figure out what your priorities are. What are the most important things you need to complete each day? Once you’ve determined your priorities, plan your day around them. Finally, leave some free time in your schedule to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

    To create the best schedule for you, be realistic about how much time you have available. Packing too much into your day will make you feel rushed and stressed. When you are rushed and stressed, you will feel anxious and undone. Instead, give yourself enough time to finish tasks, including set up and tear down time, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

    If you realize you are overscheduled, don’t be afraid to say no to new commitments. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Prioritize your time to focus on the essential things in your life.

    Overscheduling is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Instead, focus on being mindful of your time and priorities. With the right mindset and focus, you can avoid overscheduling and live a healthier, happier life.

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  • Benefits of Having a Balanced Schedule

    Benefits of Having a Balanced Schedule

    Benefits of Having a Balanced Schedule

    If you want to get more done in life without feeling too busy and burning out, it’s imperative that you create a balanced schedule. A balanced schedule has enormous benefits for your life when you make sure to account for what you need and want to do in every area of your life.

    When you have a balanced schedule, you:

    • Feel less stressed because you’re not overwhelmed by a packed schedule
    • More free time to enjoy life apart from work and responsibilities
    • Are able to focus better on the task at hand when you have regular breaks
    • Avoid burnout from working too much or taking on too much at once
    • Get more done because you’re efficient with your time

    A balanced schedule is the key to a happy, productive life. If you currently feel overwhelmed, stressed, and like you can’t keep up, it’s time to take a step back and assess your schedule. See what can be cut out or spread out more evenly. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you have a handle on your time.

    Creating a balanced schedule means looking at all the areas of your life and ensuring there’s enough time for everything important to you. This includes work, family, friends, hobbies, and taking care of yourself. If one area takes up too much of your time, something else is likely suffering.

    For example, if you’re working long hours, you may not have enough time for your family or friends. Or, if you’re spending all your free time on hobbies, you may neglect your work or other obligations. Therefore, finding a good balance between all the areas of your life is essential.

    One way to do this is to create a weekly schedule where you block out time for each area of your life. This can help you see where you may need to make some adjustments. For instance, if you realize you’re working too much, you can cut back on your hours or take on less work. Or, if you’re not spending enough time with your family or friends, you can make an effort to schedule more social activities.

    Like your boss, friend, and neighbor, you only have 24 hours a day, so be realistic regarding how much time you can devote to each area of your life. Also, keep in mind that your schedule may need to change from week to week, depending on what’s going on in your life. So schedule the most critical aspects of your life, like work and family, and then fill in the rest of your time with other activities.

    A balanced schedule is essential for a happy, productive life. When you are mindful about what you really need to live a satisfying life, pay close attention to needs in all areas of your life and ensure there’s enough time for everything important to you, you can avoid stress, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed. So, take a look at your schedule and make the necessary adjustments to create a more balanced life.

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  • Why Don’t I Finish What I Start?

    Why Don’t I Finish What I Start?

    Why Don’t I Finish What I Start?

    Maybe you’re reading this article as you are about to abandon the twelfth project you’ve started and left unfinished in the last three months. Maybe you’ve never been able to finish something you’ve always wanted to complete. Either way, there are reasons you don’t finish what you start, and it may not be for the reasons you think.

    Procrastination

    The number one reason you probably aren’t finishing what you start is that you are probably procrastinating. To solve your procrastination habit, you need to know why you are procrastinating. Are you constantly being distracted by other tasks? Do you harbor a fear that you won’t like working on your project? Once you get to the bottom of your reasons for procrastination, you’ll better be able to combat it and conquer it. Then you’ll be able to work more on the project you want to finish.

    Lethargy

    Another reason you may not be finishing what you start is that you suffer from feelings of lethargy. Lethargy is when you have no energy because you have lost enthusiasm for the task at hand. You might have lost enthusiasm because you’ve been working on the task too long and procrastinating, as mentioned above. You feel that you are unappreciated for your efforts. You can conquer lethargy by breaking tasks into much smaller pieces and rewarding yourself along the way.

    You Overestimated Yourself or the Project

    When you start something new, you are often fueled by excitement, and this may lead you to misjudge a project and the work it will take on your end to complete it. Then, during the project, you may realize you don’t have the capabilities or time to finish what you started. The best way to solve this problem is to be more realistic while planning a project. Make sure you carefully lay out your entire plan to see the project more clearly and solve future issues before they occur.

    Overall, finishing all the projects you start is difficult, but this doesn’t mean you should give up so easily. Instead, work to find the reasons behind your procrastination and lethargy and work to solve them. You can also boost yourself by considering every project you start more in-depth at the beginning of the project. Pretty soon, you’ll be well on your way to finishing that one project you’ve just never gotten around to.

    What have you started and not finished? If you would like some help in getting back on track with this project then click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call with me.

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  • Why Can’t I Follow Through?

    Why Can’t I Follow Through?

    Why Can’t I Follow Through?

    Do you struggle with the act of following through?

    Not finishing what we start is a common problem many people face in their life. It can quickly become a problem as these tasks stack up and start to weigh on us. While there are many reasons we may put things off, here are several of the most common.

    You Are Stuck In Your Habits

    One reason you may not be able to follow through with something new is that you are stuck in old habits. You might be unconsciously doing the same things you’ve always done, and thus you get the same results – failure to follow through.

    To remedy this problem, you need to break your bad habits and build new helpful habits to replace them instead.

    You Aren’t Being Proactive

    Another reason you might not be following through with commitments is because you aren’t being proactive. Maybe you are just sitting around hoping that something or someone will come along and force you to follow through. Newsflash – that isn’t going to happen.

    If you want to follow through with something, you need to be proactive and ultimately actively involved in trying to follow through. Taking action is the only way you will ever become better at following through in your life.

    You Have A Negative Mindset

    If you have a negative mindset in life, it can be very difficult to follow through with commitments. When you spend your whole day thinking of negative thoughts, the thought of following through with something seems so daunting, and negative.

    For example, if your goal is to work out every day to get into shape, but then you spend all day thinking about how you hate working out, how you’ll never be in shape, and how you won’t ever be the person you want to be, you can guarantee you won’t get up off that couch and go exercise. Instead, it’s time to try approaching your goal with a positive mindset.

    Overall, following through isn’t always the easiest thing for us to do. If you find yourself stuck in old habits and have a negative mindset, you can almost guarantee that nothing will change when it comes to your ability to follow through. So, if you want to be someone who follows through, it’s time to be proactive and take steps to change your life today.

    What have you started and not finished? If you would like some help in getting back on track with this project then click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call with me.

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  • What Can I Learn From Tasks I Fail to Finish?

    What Can I Learn From Tasks I Fail to Finish?

    What Can I Learn From Tasks I Fail to Finish?

    It’s quite likely there’s been a task you’ve failed to finish at some point in your life, whether it was a project at work or maybe even one in your personal life.

    However, although failing to finish something isn’t a great feeling, there are many ways you can learn from the tasks you fail to complete.

    How Not To Do The Task

    The first thing you will learn from failing to complete a task is how not to do it. This lesson might seem a little silly, but it matters – a lot. Learning what not to do, is an essential part of the learning process. The next time you aim to complete this task, you know what actions and behaviors to avoid. The more times you fail, the more ways you learn how not to accomplish your task. 

    You Will Learn Something About Yourself

    Whenever you fail at anything in life, it will teach you a lesson about yourself. Failure – and more importantly – your reaction to failure will teach you a lot about yourself. It will be an insight into your ability to deal with obstacles. You can also learn about your ability to bounce back from failure. Most importantly, failure can reveal weaknesses you need to address or strengths you never knew you had.

    That It’s Time To Move On

    Sometimes, when you fail to finish a task, it may teach you that it is time to move on. While on the one hand, you don’t want to give up; on the other hand, you need to examine if it is worthwhile pursuing in the first place.

    This lesson is especially true if the reason for failure is completely out of your control. Maybe there isn’t a market for that new product idea. Socio-economic issues that you can’t do anything about might impact your career. These are times it might be time to move on.

    It’s also important to examine if your goals still reflect your current values and needs. If you regularly fail to complete a task, maybe it is because it isn’t that important to you anymore?  Why waste energy on tasks that don’t reflect who you are?

    Conclusion

    You will likely come across a task you cannot finish at some time during your life. Don’t fret, though. When you fail to complete a task, it can teach you several important lessons. You can apply those lessons to your next task to ensure you can complete it and finally achieve success.

    What have you started and not finished? If you would like some help in getting back on track with this project then click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call with me.

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  • The Top 3 Reasons We Don’t Finish What We Start

    The Top 3 Reasons We Don’t Finish What We Start

    The Top 3 Reasons We Don’t Finish What We Start

    Do you feel as if you are constantly leaving a trail of half-finished projects in your wake? Are you the type of person who has one project in particular that you’ve always wanted to finish but just haven’t gotten around to it? If that sounds familiar, keep reading to find the top three reasons you tend not to finish what you’ve started.

    1. You’ve Lost Motivation

    When you started the project, your enthusiasm for starting something new first motivated you. However, if you haven’t seen any results in some time, this may have caused your motivation to lower. The best way to combat this loss of motivation is by breaking your project down into more manageable pieces and rewarding yourself along the way for steps well done. Conquering these more manageable pieces will help keep you motivated even when the project is long.

    2. Negative Thoughts About The Project

    Another reason you may find it difficult to complete a task is because of the way you think about the project. When it comes to mind, do you think you will never finish it or is your mind filled with thoughts of how hard the project is? Both are negative paths of thinking, and they will keep you from finishing the project. Instead, it’s time to transform your thinking to be positive regarding the project you are trying to complete. A more positive outlook will give you new energy and motivation to complete the task.

    3. Lack Of Discipline

    Another reason people can’t finish the projects they start is a lack of self-discipline. A person with self-discipline doesn’t give up when the going gets tough. They also tend to avoid procrastinating or slacking off. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s probably time that you work to cultivate self-discipline in your life. Boosting your self-discipline will ensure you can start finishing all the projects you start.

    In conclusion, finishing what you start is quite often difficult. The most likely reason you cannot finish projects is probably one of the above reasons. If you want to enjoy feelings of success, it’s time that you get to the bottom of your reason for not finishing a project and then work towards conquering the reason. This way, the next project you start, or one you have left uncompleted, will finally be done. After all, it’s always better to be late than never finish at all.

    What have you started and not finished? If you would like some help in getting back on track with this project then click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call with me.

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  • How Finishing What You Start Can Change Your Life

    How Finishing What You Start Can Change Your Life

    How Finishing What You Start Can Change Your Life

     

    If you constantly leave unfinished projects by the wayside, you know all too well how it feels not to finish a task. But the truth is, you can’t accomplish anything if you never finish what you start. It’s time for you to learn how to finish tasks because finishing tasks can change your life in several beneficial ways.

    You’ll Find You Have More Career Options

    No one wants to hire an employee who doesn’t finish projects or often leaves them partially complete. Once you demonstrate that you can finish projects every time they are assigned, you’ll find that you receive more promotions and other career paths open to you that weren’t there before.

     You Will Feel More Relaxed

    Leaving unfinished projects in your life creates anxiety in your mind whether you realize this or not. When you begin to finish projects instead of leaving them undone, you’ll find that you feel much more peaceful and less anxious about the world around you. This will have profound effects on your mood and your relationships with others in your life.

    You Will Feel Success

    People often undermine the power of feeling successful. It really is a feeling which puts you on top of the world. Once you feel successful in one task, it will spill over into all your other tasks. This momentum will propel you to be more successful in your life. All from just finishing one task.

    You Will Be Ready For Your Future

    With the feelings of success that come from finishing what you start, you will also enjoy feelings of preparedness. Feeling more prepared will make you feel ready to face the future ahead. Future changes and projects will seem less scary and easier to accomplish, paving the way for future tasks for you to finish with ease.

    Finishing what you start is not an easy task, but once you get the ball rolling and truly get yourself to complete tasks, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the benefits which follow. You’ll not only have more options in your life, but you’ll also feel more emotionally at peace with these options. And don’t forget you’ll also feel success, which will keep you on the road to achieving your dreams.

    What have you started and not finished? If you would like some help in getting back on track with this project then click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call with me.

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